19/11/2025
26th Anniversary Gippsland Motorcyclists Toy Run – Saturday 6th December 2025
The Toy Run day is just over a couple of weeks away and many enquiries are coming concerning the day so here are all of the details for the big day on Saturday 6th December. We will post this info again a couple of days before. This day is the icing on the cake to a big build up of toy gathering, which has been happening for a few months now, and it’s coming along nicely.
For those who have read this info before – there is nothing new included.
On the 6th December riders will gather at Bobber Dave’s Custom Cycles at Nefertiti Court, Traralgon, from 9.30am for a departure at 11.00am. And yes, with our experienced marshalls, everyone will be able to fit in. The Traralgon Lions Club will have breakfast for sale and you can get a cuppa from Lahrra’s coffee wagon. Toilet facilities are available. There is also a complimentary patch that will be given to the first 200 riders and a Best Bike Award. If you’ve been to previous Toy Runs, Judge Julz says it’s all about colour and tinsel.
The ride will head through some of the Latrobe Valley’s most picturesque countryside to arrive at the township of Erica at about 11.50am, where the township will greet us. Parking is unlimited and you can choose your own spot anywhere in town. There is a big choice of food for lunch with the 1st Moe Rivers Scout Group’s BBQ at the Rec Reserve, the Erica Hotel, the Erica Cafe and Bar and the General Store all gearing up to feed us. Live entertainment will be provided by the 350’s Blues Band and will be at the Rec Reserve pergola near the Scouts, as in the previous year. The Caravan Parks beer garden will also be open and refreshments can also be obtained here.
The route this year is unchanged from last year and will head from Nefertiti Court towards Glengarry then to Tyers and up the Tyers/Walhalla Road to come in from the top end of Erica. This route works exceptionally well and is designed to avoid any dangerous intersections that have had a few near misses, even with Police controlling them. Kym, our Toy Run photographer from Smyk Images will be located on the approach to Tyers and we will slow down to give her a chance to take as many photos as possible. If you are a pillion, lean a little to the left to make sure you get in the shot. The photos will be available to download for free from the Smyk Images page.
Petrol. There is no petrol available at Erica. So start with a full tank at Traralgon.
Weather. We have never called off a Toy Run and are not going to, even though we have had awful days in the past. We don’t care if you decide to drive your car in bad weather and that was the case a couple of years ago.
All bikes are welcome. It doesn’t matter what you ride. It’s all about toys. And we love seeing the many clubs riding together.
Ride pace. It’s not a race. It’s a parade of caring riders who are supporting our neighbors needing help. It’s going to be sedate and we will have lots of people along the way waving and enjoying the spectacle. So riders of all abilities and experience will be comfortable.
Again, it’s all about the toys, and the Salvos and Vinnies vans will be there across the road from the Erica Pub to collect your gifts. They will already be almost full with all of the toys collected prior to the day and those they receive on Toy Run day will top them up. It’s a wonderful sight and one that fills us all with pride. Last year we set a new record of $102 000 in donations and, with your help we can do it again.
All of the toys we receive will be given to Latrobe Valley families who are struggling to make ends meet, particularly at Christmas time. We are told that more than 2000 kids enjoy a better Christmas as a result of our efforts and have been for 25 years. Both charities have said that if it wasn’t for efforts like ours and others they wouldn’t be able to buy toys because all of their funds are going to supplying other essential and basic needs.
Drop off points for toy donations are at Bobber Dave’s Custom Cycles, Nefertiti Court, Traralgon, Melina Bath’s Office, Franklin Street, Traralgon, Darren Chester’s Office, Franklin Street, Traralgon, Martin Cameron’s Office, George Street, Morwell, the Traralgon RSL, the Pharmacy Department at Latrobe Regional Hospital, Maryvale Private Hospital, Petstock Traralgon, Elders Warragul and Old Gippstown, Lloyd Street, Moe.
Toy Run T shirts can be ordered through Gippsland Merch Co in Traralgon by going through their web site.
Well that’s the gist of it. It’s quite simple really. Our goal is that no child in our neighbourhood will miss out on waking up to a great Christmas morning. If you have any questions, or just want to offload toys that you can’t bring along yourself, call us. All donations will be acknowledged in this page as you have seen and anyone who donates gifts gets our sincerest appreciation.
A bit of spruiking for our locality now. At the end of your visit to Erica, consider taking a ride out to the Thompson Dam or out to Walhalla via the heritage railway station. If your return home is via Moe, we recommend Old Gippstown for a coffee break and a stroll around. That’s just to suggest a few. Also, if you’ve ridden a long way to join us, consider booking a cabin at the Erica or Rawson Caravan Park or a room at the Erica Hotel and take your time exploring next day.
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Stay safe and see you there. Alf and Stella.
Alf (0434 618 689) and Stella (0412 313 168).
